Tuulikki Bartosik is a female accordionist who crosses the genre lines and with her direct improvisational performances, is convincing symphony orchestra soloist on a grand stage and also at home concerts. Tuulikki Bartosik is a bright and versatile musician whose songs are played from Great Britain to Australia. A wide Nordic world-view, an excellent instrument handling skills, the combining of new and old in an extremely unique way are just some keywords that describe Bartosik’s musical compositions.

Timo Alakotila is one of the most active and famous pianists, composers and arrangers in Finland. His collaboration with countless musicians and ensembles has led to international recognition and concert tours throughout Europe, North America and Japan. Timo Alakotila’s innovative approach to folk music has also had a significant impact on Estonian folk musicians, in particular, due to the arrangement, composing and accompaniment master classes under his supervision at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Timo Alakotila’s collaboration with Tuulikki Bartosik dates back to 1995 and culminated with Tuulikki Bartosik’s auteur album Storied Sounds that was released in spring 2016.

Villu Talsi is a beloved Estonian folk musician. In particular, the audiences know Villu Talsi as a mandolin player of Curly Strings but he is also a recognized teacher and skillful songwriter.

The partners of the concert series are the Embassy of Estonia in Helsinki, the Tuglas Society, the Union of Estonian Societies in Finland, the Viljandi Friends Society, the Society of Friends of the Estonian Institute.